Help 1st time key west to chubb bahama

[Captalex]

Husband and I want to take a boat from key west to chubb bahama. The plan had been to dock I'm marathon 1 night before the 112nm cross to chubb. We are towing a 25 ft center console. The marinas in marathon are booked or can't accommodate our 72' size with 5.5' draft. Is the trip from key west to islamorada a reasonable day trip through hawks channel before shooting over to chub? Should we consider a direct trip from key west to chubb? Any advice? Marina suggestiond?

[DDabs]

There is only one marina on Chub Cay and it is $4.00/ft. last time I checked, just fyi

[motion30]

Key West to Marathon is a very easy day. Why not just anchor in marathon and then leave early a.m.. probably not enough room for you in boot key Harbor. But you could anchor Bayside no problem
not sure if you can clear into the Bahamas at Chubb may be best for you In Bimini

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by motion30

Key West to Marathon is a very easy day. Why not just anchor in marathon and then leave early a.m.. probably not enough room for you in boot key Harbor. But you could anchor Bayside no problem
not sure if you can clear into the Bahamas at Chubb may be best for you In Bimini

===

First night out of Key West I'd anchor either east or west of Rodriguez Key depending on wind and seas.

You can't clear in at Chubb unless you pay for $$$ dockage. If we were making that run I'd probably clear in at Bimini or North Cat Cay. North Cat Cay is a private club but you can dock for $100 while you use their customs office right at dockside. It's very convenient and usually not at all busy. Otherwise we'd run straight through to Nassau and clear in at the Nassau Harbour Club Marina.

[sailingfarmer]

I would force march the boat to Bimini or Cat cay....Clear at North Cat Cay ...or Bimini... breaks up the trip as well... then be careful the banks can be shallow to Chub Cay... until you hit Tongue of the Ocean... then you feel like you just walked off the deck of the Empire State Building.... Purple deep!... getting into Chubb Cay is tricky at night.... make sure you have a good GPS Charter Plotter.... anchoring is easy with white sand bottom even in moonlight....

[Telemark88]

We did that run last year with 5.5" draft

Left key west at 9 am

Sailed up Hawkes channel and headed toward South Riding Rock by the time we got to 7 mile bridge

Got to Riding Rock at day light

Sailed across the banks and through the NW Channel by night fall

Heaved too in front of Chubb until day light and sailed in

Chubb cay staff were great - pulled right up to fuel dock and took on a few gallons out of curtesy, they had one of the dock hands drive us over to the airport (5 min) to hand in our paperwork and pay our $300.

I tipped the driver $20 for his help. We sailed on to Xumas after eating breakfast at Chub

Highly recommend clearing at Chub if you cross the banks

Avoid Nassau at all costs but if you have to go then contact the new Bay Street Marina and ask for the manager Jackie - she will take care of you

[Captalex]

Thank you everyone, keep up with all the advice you can give. We will be staying in chub for 10 days. we like the marina there a lot and the fishing/diving. Usually we go over from Stuart not the keys so our concern is the key west to marathon route. anchoring does look like our best option since all the marinas either cant accommodate or are booked up. keep all comments coming thank you everyone!!

[captmikem]

A lot easier, and shorter to go off hawk channel at Alligator reef, across to South Riding rocks, northwest channel and Chub. Pretty easy shot. I have carried 7 feet across the banks there with no problem. My thought if the wx is good to just keep going east from Key West, no need to stop, enjoy the beautiful night at sea.

Michael

[Skuzzlebutt]

Keep Rodriguez Key (Rock Harbor, Key Largo) in mind if you do need to stop. North side of the key is quite protected, and plenty of draft. It's an anchorage, friendly residents. No worries. Well spaced for privacy. Watch your anchor, as it is "Rock Harbor".

[david knowles]

It's a piece of cake Don't hit the marker before you get to Chubb. Plenty of places to drop the hook. Clear at Bimini They are friendly and is an easy walk to get it done